On Thursday, Pope Francis made a historic visit to one of Italy’s largest prison complexes, Rebibbia prison on the outskirts of Rome, where he opened a special "Holy Door" as part of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year. The Vatican confirmed this marked the first time a pope had opened a Holy Door at a prison since the tradition began with Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. Speaking to hundreds of inmates, guards, and staff, Pope Francis emphasized a message of hope, telling them, "Do n

As 2025 approaches, bridal hairstyles will feature a stunning blend of glamour and effortless chic. We will see a resurgence of voluminous, tousled waves, textured buns, and soft face-framing tendrils, inspired by vintage glam but with a modern twist. These styles, which balance sophistication with a playful edge, will make their mark not only on red carpets but also on bridal looks. Expect to see a ris

The year 2025 is set to be filled with significant global events, from political upheavals to cultural comebacks and pressing climate challenges. Trump 2.0: Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, after a hard-fought election victory against Kamala Harris. Despite facing legal challenges, Trump's second term will likely shape U.S. politics and its global relationships.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the admit cards for the upcoming CA Foundation and Intermediate exams scheduled for January 2025. Candidates who have registered for either of the two exams can now download their admit cards by visiting the official ICAI website and logging in with their CA registration number and date of birth. The admit cards contain essential details such as the candidate’s name, CA roll number, photograph, signature, date

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the recruitment notification for the Probationary Officer (PO) position for 2024-25. A total of 600 vacancies will be filled, including both regular and backlog posts. The application window opens on December 27, 2024, and closes on January 16, 2025. The preliminary exam is set to take place from March 8 to March 15, 2025, with the main exam scheduled for April or May 2025. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply through SB

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

At CES 2025, Lenovo is set to unveil several cutting-edge products, with one of the most exciting being a self-charging Bluetooth keyboard. This innovative keyboard will feature solar and ambient light charging, eliminating the need for traditional outlets or constant charging cables. With a sleek design, it is expected to come in two colorways—black and white—and will be capable of connecti

India has made substantial progress in its infrastructure development in 2024, with multiple major projects completed and new ones lined up for the coming years. The government’s commitment of Rs 11 lakh crore in capital expenditure this fiscal year, alongside strategic initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline and PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, has fueled this growth. Key Infrastructure Projects in 2024:

In response to Russia's Christmas Day attack on Ukrainian cities and its energy infrastructure, President Joe Biden has instructed the U.S. Defense Department to maintain its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Biden condemned Russia’s actions, which were aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s power supply and endangering the country’s energy grid during the harsh winter. The attack, which involved cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones, is part of Russia’s ong

As 2025 approaches, India has already begun shaping its foreign policy for the year. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to travel to the United States to meet officials from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump team, ahead of the U.S. power transition. Jaishankar is expected to discuss the Quad Summit, where U.S. President Donald Trump may attend, and potentially seek an early date for Trump’s visit to India. In addition to the Quad Summit,

After much anticipation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally revealed the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The prestigious tournament, set to be played in a hybrid format across Pakistan and Dubai, will kick off with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19, 2025, in Karachi. The tournament will conclude with the final on March 9, 2025, hosted in Lahore, with a backup plan for Dubai if India qualifies for the final. India's campaign will beg

Starting January 1, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer support Android devices running Android KitKat (version 4.4) or older. Meta has made this decision as the messaging app gets updated with new AI features that demand more advanced hardware. As a result, over 20 Android devices from brands like Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, and Sony will lose access to WhatsApp. The affected devices include models such as the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Motorola Moto G (1st Gen), HTC One X, LG Opt

Asus is set to launch new ROG Strix gaming laptops at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 on January 6. The company released a teaser showing a laptop with RGB lighting that wraps around the bottom, offering a more vibrant underglow than previous models. Although Asus has not confirmed the exact model, rumors suggest that the company might unveil the ROG Strix 18 Scar and the ROG Strix G16. The ROG Strix 18 is expected to be powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285 HX processor and

As India prepares for the Union Budget of 2025-26, the finance ministry has highlighted the need for flexibility in fiscal policy, given the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. While the fiscal deficit for FY26 is expected to be below 4.5% of GDP, there are concerns over the ability to accurately project receipts and expenditures in the current uncertain environment. The global situation has worsened, with escalating conflicts, further complicating fiscal planning.

The World Bank has approved a substantial USD 800 million loan for the Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Program, which will support the development of Andhra Pradesh's greenfield capital city, Amaravati. The loan, approved by the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank, aims to establish Amaravati as a sustainable, climate-resilient urban center that will create economic opportunities and improve the lives of its residents. The project is set to focus on building the city as

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially released the NEET UG 2025 syllabus, providing students with the essential framework for their preparations for the upcoming medical entrance examination. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) UG 2025 is the gateway for admission into undergraduate medical courses across India, including MBBS programs at prestigious institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER. The syllabus, which covers three major subjects&mdash

Ukraine has condemned FIFA after a map displayed during the European World Cup qualifiers for 2026 appeared to omit Crimea from Ukraine. The map, shown during the December 2024 draw for the joint-hosted tournament by the US, Mexico, and Canada, sparked backlash when it excluded Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy accused FIFA of supporting Russian propaganda and violating international law by "redrawing b

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to finalize the hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy during a virtual meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Under this model, India and Pakistan will not travel to each other's countries for ICC events. The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be played in Dubai, with eight teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. T

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Prayagraj on Friday, hailed the 2025 Maha Kumbh as a "mahayagya of unity" that would elevate the country's cultural and spiritual identity. Addressing a public meeting, Modi emphasized that the Maha Kumbh brings people together, transcending caste and sect divisions. He inaugurated 167 significant development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore to enhance Prayagraj's infrastructure in preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of